Had a disappointing experience on our regular Sunday morning ride today when a jogger took it upon himself to yell abuse at each and every member of our group. He was on the road (country road), running on the correct side, coming towards us so we all made sure we gave him plenty of space but he told us all to get off the road, not to ride two abreast because we were holding up traffic (not a car in sight!) etc.

Most of our group is over 60 years old, some are over 70 and this morning there were only two of us under 50. We weren't going fast, this is a social ride, and we certainly weren't breaking any laws.

He got his comeuppance when we turned around for the return leg and he was on the opposite side of the road but decided to do his turnaround without so much as a glance up the road. He was confronted with a group of cyclists who were quick to remind him, quite politely in the circumstances, that he needed to look before crossing the road!

jasonc wrote:In QLD it's illegal to walk on the road when a footpath is available. I've complained to our local neighbourhood watch to no avail

Just as a point of interest and perhaps an understanding of the issue.......if you are a high km runner, then running on the road (where practical) is more preferable than a concrete footpath. Hard is hard but believe me there is a big difference.

GregW wrote:Just as a point of interest and perhaps an understanding of the issue.......if you are a high km runner, then running on the road (where practical) is more preferable than a concrete footpath.

Not sure how that gives any understanding of the issue - he was abusive to other, equally legal, road users.

I wouldn't prototype or blame certain groups of people (joggers, walkers, motorists, cyclists), it's simply the person's attitude.While gently and slowly riding with my daughter, I was abused by 2 or 3 cyclists who took over me by commenting "cheater, doper, etc" because I was wearing my old blue US Postal jacket.

il padrone wrote: Yeah, but also not legal, here in Victoria as well if there is a footpath present.

jasonc wrote: agree it may be preferred, but if it's not legal, then as with MHL, if you don't like the law, get them changed.

You pair had better point out where I claimed or even hinted it was legal........I can't find where I wrote it.

TraceyG wrote: Not sure how that gives any understanding of the issue - he was abusive to other, equally legal, road users.

errr....try reading that as the issue of runners at times preferring to run on the road.I am not condoning the runners abuse....my post was of an informative nature.

Try and mention something on these forums that may help in understanding other forms of travel or exercise is fraught with danger.Too many of are prepared to read it as you would like it written so we can have a slap down or a good old session about downtrodden cyclistsI am a runner, cyclist and a motorist. I see good and bad in all.As a cyclist ( legally.......based more on safety) can opt for road or bike lane then so at times a runner makes the same choice....for many reasons.....including safety.......the gist of my first post.But I can understand that all members here have never run a red light,filtered illegally, ridden without lights at night ride with no bell, take their reflectors off the wheels.....shall I go on........so I guess it is fair to get upset about an odd runner they come across that may illegally use the road.

I've no problem with runners on the cycle paths, or on the roads. There's very little infrastructure for people who are trying to get/keep fit or train that it should be shared. Selfishly claiming our few inches of tarmac at the xpense of another equally vulnerable group is hardly taking the high road.The jogger in the OP is just a git, you get them in cars, on the sidewalks, and even on bicycles.

richbee wrote:I've no problem with runners on the cycle paths, or on the roads. There's very little infrastructure for people who are trying to get/keep fit or train that it should be shared. Selfishly claiming our few inches of tarmac at the xpense of another equally vulnerable group is hardly taking the high road.The jogger in the OP is just a git, you get them in cars, on the sidewalks, and even on bicycles.

i don't mind sharing the pavement with joggers, who i find are usually more aware than other pedestrians, but my pet hate is joggers coming towards me along on-road cycle lanes, who won't move over. what am i supposed to do? if there's room, i'll move onto the road - but that isn't always an option. with a higher closing speed resulting from their running towards me, there's often nowhere for me to go if i can't move into traffic - get the hell out of the way, for both of our sake's!

jasonc wrote:In QLD it's illegal to walk on the road when a footpath is available. I've complained to our local neighbourhood watch to no avail

Just as a point of interest and perhaps an understanding of the issue.......if you are a high km runner, then running on the road (where practical) is more preferable than a concrete footpath. Hard is hard but believe me there is a big difference.

And for serious runners those small variations in the surface will eventually cripple them or do in their back. Road is fine if, like for a good cyclist, attention never wanders.

About the original post, that jogger seems to have a bee in his bonnet and should, for his own safety, maintain proper focus on his own safety and the road in front of himself.

jasonc wrote:In QLD it's illegal to walk on the road when a footpath is available. I've complained to our local neighbourhood watch to no avail

Just as a point of interest and perhaps an understanding of the issue.......if you are a high km runner, then running on the road (where practical) is more preferable than a concrete footpath. Hard is hard but believe me there is a big difference.

And for serious runners those small variations in the surface will eventually cripple them or do in their back. Road is fine if, like for a good cyclist, attention never wanders.

About the original post, that jogger seems to have a bee in his bonnet and should, for his own safety, maintain proper focus on his own safety and the road in front of himself.

I'm sorry to sound slow but I'm not sure what you are saying about the difference between running on the road Vs footpath. I only ask because I've taken to jogging although the distance I jog aren't that great (circa 5km)

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